Valve-actuating mechanism



Jan. 2l, 1964 w. F. MocLENAHAN' 3,118,464

vALvE-AcTuATING MECHANISM Filed Nov 20, 1961 INVENTOR.' W/L/AM EMcCzf/w//A/Y l M wh( United States Patent O `3,113,464 VALVE-ACTUATlNGMECHANISM Wiiliam F. McClenahan, 77S Burlway Road, Burlingame, Calif.Filed Nov. 2li, 1961, Ser. No. 153,610 1 Claim. (Cl. 137-360) Thisinvention relates to a valve-actuating mechanism and more particularlyrelates to an improvement over t e valve-actuating means shown in myPatent 2,959,186.

In Patent 2,959,186, there is disclosed a valve mechanisrn suitable lforuse in penal, mental and similar institutions which is completelytamper-proof and which can be adjusted from the rear so that an inmatemay be allowed more or less water by adjusting the mechanism, whichadjustment can be made without entering the cell. In the structure shownin my above-mentioned patent, the valve could be opened only by pressingon a button and it was necessary to maintain pressure on the button atall times when it was desired to have a flow of water. This isinconvenient for the user, particularly with a mixer-type faucet whereone `wishes to mix hot and cold water for use in washing.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved valve-actuating`structure is provided wherein the push button may be used as before, orwherein a handle can be turned so that the iiow of water will bemaintained until the handle is returned to its former position. Further,in accordance with the present invention, means are provided wherebyfthe turning feature can be eliminated temporarily or permanently, forinstance as punishment in the case of an inmate who wastes water.

In the drawings forming a part of this application:

FIGURE l is a plan sectional View through a wall and a portion of abasin showing a valve and valve-actuating structure in place.

FEGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the valveactuating structureof the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of a portion of the valve-actuatingstructure.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, a valve body haslbeen generally designated 3, while the valve-actuating structure hasbeen generally designated 5. The valve-actuating structure is shownmounted on a basin 7 which in turn is mounted on a wall 9.

The valve itself is amply described in the above-identiiied patent, andsuice it to say that the valve comprises a housing il mounted by acurved arm 13 to a threaded member 17 by means or" the nuts 67. A valvestem 21 extends from the valve, and as the valve stem 21 is depressed,water can ilow from the line 3S through the litting 37 and pipe 39 intothe basin outlet 41. Normally, two such valves would be used, as isshown in the aboveidentiiied patent, but only one is illustrated.

The valve operated mechanism proper comprises a tube S1 with a firstthreaded end 17 and a second threaded end d to which is threaded abushing 52. The bushing 52 is threaded to a flange 53 which has squareshoulders S4 thereon which pass through a Vsquare opening in the basinwall '7. Passing through the tube 51 is a rod 55, oneend of which is incontact with the valve stem 21 and the other end of which is providedwith a shoulder 59 and an enlarged end 57 which serves as a push button.The structure thus far described is substantially the same 3,113,454Patented `lan. 2l, i964 as has heretofore been described in my Patent2,959,186.. It is obvious that by pushing on the button 57 the Valve maybe actuated.

According to the present invention, the flange 53 is provided withinternal threads 6l) which mate with corresponding tln'eads 61 on the`knob assembly. The knob assembly has a knurled end 62 and has a hole 63of such size that the push button ..7 slips lfreely therein. The knobassembly also has a shoulder 64 which abuts on the iiange 53 as is shownso that it cannot be completely unscrewed, the other side of saidshoulder abuting with shoulder 59 on the push rod 55. Thus, the valvecan be actuated in two ways, namely by pushing the button 57 aspreviously described, or by turning the knurled portion 62 so that theflange 64 depresses the ilange 59, again actuating the valve and holdingthe valve open until the knob is turned in the opposite direction. If itis desired to temporarily or permanently shut ofi the stay-open featureof the valve, for instance as a punishment of an inmate who has beenwasting water, a small sleeve 65 may be placed inside the valve actuatoras is shown, which sleeve ywill prevent turning the valve so that thewater cannot be left on, but which will not prevent one from pushing thebutton 57 so that water will still be available.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a simpleand tamper-proof valve-actuating mechanism and one which ycan beoperated as a push button Valve or one which can be actuated as aturning valve which will stay on until it is turned oir.

I claim:

In combination with a push-rod operated valve, said valve being locatedbehind a wall, a valve operating mechanism comprising in combination:

(a) a wall yilange mounted in the wall;

(b) said wall flange having an internally threaded opening on the sideof the wall opposite the valve;

(c) said iiange having a larger opening on the side facing the valvewhereby a shoulder is formed between the larger opening and the threadedopening;

(al) a knob assembly having a knurled outer portion, an externallythreaded intermediate portion and a flanged inner portion, said ilangeforming a flat rear surface;

(e) the threaded portion of the knob turning freely in the threads ofthe wall ilange;

(f) the ilange on the knob engaging the shoulder of the wall ilangewhereby the knob portion cannot pass through the wall flange;

(g) a hole in the center of the knob assembly;

(h) a push-rod extending through and beyond the knob assembly, saidpush-rod having an outer end adapted Ito be depressed by finger pressureand an inner end in contact with the valve, said push-rod having aflange thereon adapted to engage the at rear surface of the knobassembly whereby the valve can be actuated either by linger pressure onthe pushrod, or by turning the knob assembly causing the ilat rearsurface of the knob assembly to push against the flange on the push-rod.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,905,198 Peeps Sept. 22, 1959

